Biography of Francis M. JaksicCuyahoga County, OH Biographies

FRANCIS MARTIN JAKSIC. The career of Francis Martin Jaksic is one which illustrates the awards which may be
secured through hard and earnest effort when well directed, even though the obstacles in the way of advancement
be numerous and difficult of overcoming. Starting his career in a humble capacity, when still a mere lad, with
only a public school education and his ambition to aid him, he has worked his way to the forefront among bankers
and business men of Cleveland, and now, in addition to being connected with numerous other enterprises of a varied
and important character, he is secretary and manager of the North American Banking and Savings Company.

Mr. Jaksic was born at Zuzemberk Village, in what is now Jugo Slavia, Europe, December 11, 1887, and is a son of
Frank and Theresa Jaksic, natives of the same country. When he was but a year old his father came to the United
States to prepare a home for his family, consisting then of Francis Martin and his mother, who followed in 1889.
On his arrival in this country Frank Jaksic settled at once at Cleveland, and this city continued to be his home
during the remainder of his life. He was a man of industry, who engaged in various occupations, but did not live
to enjoy success, his death occurring in 1905. Mrs. Jaksic, who survives her husband, is a resident of Cleveland.

Francis Martin Jaksic was brought up to habits of industry, to an appreciation of the value of hard work and to
principles of integrity. He acquired his rudimentary education in the parochial school of St. Peter's Catholic
Church, and later spent a short time at St. Ignatius College, Cleve land. He was but thirteen years of age when
he entered upon his business career, his first experiences being those gained in a printing office, where he mastered
the trade in all its branches. However, he did not care for the business as a regular vocation throughout life,
and accordingly gave up the trade for the retail grocery business, which he followed for a time with a partner.
Mr. Jaksic then evidenced a desire for the law, and entered the legal department of Cleveland Law School, where
he spent two years, during which time he also served as deputy in the office of the county clerk of Cuyahoga County.
While he has never followed the law as a regular profession, the knowledge which he gained during those two years
has been of incalculable value to him. When he left law school Mr. Jaksic became associated with Anton Grdina in
conducting the Grdina Furniture Company, a business in which he still is interested. At the close of the World
war Mr. Jaksic spent eight months in his native land, engaged in relief work, and on his return, in 1919, with
Dr. J. M. Seliskar and others organized and chartered the North American Banking and Savings Company, of which
he has since been the secretary and manager. This institution has enjoyed a rapid growth and is now numbered among
the leading banking organizations of the city. In addition Mr. Jaksic is vice president of the Euclid Foundry Company,
vice president of the St. Clair Avenue Improvement Association and chairman of the finance committee of the Slavonian
Mutual Benefit Association. He is affiliated with Cleveland Council, Knights of Columbus, and his religious connection
is with St. Vitus Catholic Church, in the work of which he is active. He has always been a supporter of worthy
civic measures.

Mr. Jaksic married Jeanette Mary Grdina, daughter of John Grdina, of Cleveland, and to this union have been born
three children: Frank R., Genevieve and Richard.

From:
A History of Cuyahoga County
and the City of Cleveland
By: William R. Coates
Publishers:
The American Historical Society
Chicago and New York, 1924